AN exciting start to the new season at Kilnwick Percy Golf Club was decorated by a smart Matt finish which almost yielded a club best mark.

Matthew Burrows grossed 69 in the first medal competition of the season, which proved to be just one short off the course record presently held by Rob Bradley.

Playing off a handicap of six, Burrows' nett 63 was pursued by a strong field as the Kilnwick crew got into the swing of things at the first opportunity of the new term.

James Nesfield netted 66 off a handicap of 20 for second place, while Steve Cooper was third on count-back from Kevin Beattie after both had posted a nett 67.

There were twos scored on the 15th by Toby Gowthorpe, Peter Sayer on the ninth, and competition winner Burrows on the third hole.

Burrows was again on the winning mark when he won the opener in the All Medal Winners tournament, an annual competition for all monthly medal and major competition winners of the previous season.

This time Burrows edged ahead on count-back from Kyle Mathers, both with a nett 69, with Mark Gatenby third, also on count-back, from Neil Atkinson (70).

In the club's men's stableford, Eric Sologub won with 32 points ahead of Jamie Denham in second and Brian Petrie in third.

The club's Captains' Drive-In will be held tomorrow.

The Scarborough Winter Golf Alliance climaxed with victory for Scarborough South Cliff GC in the season's final fixture at Driffield.

Title-holders Filey GC held a narrow four-stroke lead over Scarborough South Cliff in second place, with Kirkbymoorside just two strokes further back going into the Driffield duel. But Filey could only manage a four-card total of 271, which put them in sixth place on the day.

South Cliff's total of 265 gave them third place on the day, but pole position in the overall league placings, which were: 1 Scarborough South Cliff 1,882; 2 Filey 1,884; 3 Driffield 1,886; 4 Kirkbymoorside 1,887; 5 Malton and Norton 1,889; 6 Scarborough North Cliff 1,906; 7 Whitby 1,921; 8 Flamborough Head 1,931; 9 Bridlington 1,939.

The day's competition also included the Benny Fell Trophy, awarded to the best overall team performance on the day. Hosts club Driffield won with an eight-card total of 541 ahead of South Cliff (545) and Kirkbymoorside (548).

SAM Torrance, captain of last year's Ryder Cup heroes, has lent his support to the Help the Aged Golden Charter Golf Championship.

The event, now entering is 15th year is one of the largest charity golf events in the UK, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for the charity.

To enter captains and secretaries should choose which club medal from their 2003 tournament calendar they would like to nominate to participate in the Help the Aged Golden Charter Golf Championship.

The winning woman and man from the nominated club medals have a chance to qualify to play in a regional final, from which the top two men and women will contest the Grand Final on October 23, at The Belfry, scene of Torrance's greatest day last autumn.

For details ring Help the Aged by calling 020 7924 1227, check National Club Golfer magazine or e-mail www.helptheaged.org.uk

HOME was where the winning start was for Doreen Clark and Caroline Newland.

The Easingwold GC duo made the best of local knowledge to win the final East Yorkshire Winter Golf Association event at Easingwold.

They carded a net 74 to win by half a stroke from fellow Easingwold pairing Judy Clark and Pauline Myers. A further half-stroke behind were Filey's Elizabeth Cammish and Irene Nicholson.

Malton and Norton won the team prize on 12 from Easingwold (22) and York (26).

TOFT Green Golf Society have switched their five outings to Thursdays starting at the Mid-Yorkshire course at Darrington on May 15. They will be followed by matches at Kirkbymoorside (June 12), Whitby (July 10), Romanby (August 7) and Forest Pines, near Scunthorpe, for the finals day (September 11).

Anyone wishing to join should contact Tony Morrallee tel 01904 339595.

Updated: 09:12 Saturday, March 15, 2003